Atta boy, Jim! Sami
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Schmitt Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 9:12 AM To: RBG7-L Mailing List Subject: [RBG7-L] - AHHHH.....the power of the R:Base demo Good Day to all: Thought I would just share this one with the list. Let me preface this by saying that we have done city and village utility billing software on various computers, and even have a couple of clients running utility billing under 4.5++. About 10 weeks ago, I received a call from a fellow I know at American Electric Power (they supply electric power to smaller towns and villages in Ohio), and he told me of a village in northeastern Ohio that was very unhappy with their utility billing software. He gave me the name and number of the person to call. Well, I had no sooner hung up the phone, and received another call , this from the woman in charge of the village, calling to see if I could do a demo. I gave my best sales pitch, and told her that we have utility billing, but it is in DOS, and not windows. She said that she wanted it in windows, Ibut I convinced her that she should take a look at our DOS version, as she may gain some new ideas. She agreed to look at our DOS version, and we set an appointment, and I told her that would come to her site (about 120 miles away). So, the day before the appointment for the demo, my laptop died. I didn't have time to get a new one, so I lugged a full computer, with 19 inch monitor up to the village. I met with about eight people, and demoed the 4.5++ version. They seemed impressed with our DOS version, but said it had to be in windows. Now, we were the first firm to do a demo for them, and I asked who else they planned on seeing. They indicated that they had contacted two or three other software firms who specialize in utility billing/government accounting (these were the 'big boys' of government software in Ohio). I asked them if, after they reviewed the other firms software, I could come back and do another demo of utility billing system in windows. They hesitantly said yes, and that I only had about 6 or 7 weeks before their final decision. Well, I couldn't just stop progress on my current accounts for this potential client, so I committed my early morning, and late evening hours to this project. I figured that, even if they did not buy from Ohio Software, we would have a windows product for future sales. So, before every working day for the next seven weeks, I started my day at 5:00 AM, and worked from 5:00 unit 8:30 AM, converting the 4.5++ DOS version of the system into a 7.1 windows version. I also worked on it in the evening for a few hours a night. After 7 weeks, they called and said they had reviewed the others' software, noting who they had preferred of the other vendors. They said that I could come back and show them what I had, IF I WAS STILL INTERESTED. I told them yes, and we set a date. Did I finish this system in this short period of time and make everything work ? Absolutely notI But I finished all of the screen layouts, and many of the report layouts. Loaded with a new laptop, and the 7.1 Windows R:base product (not yet completed), I drove to the village. This time, only two people were there for the demo, BUT, these two were the main two. I told them that the system was not yet finished, and only about 70 percent completed. I demoed the system, and took notes on what they said the others' had, and that I didn't. Well, I sent them my proposal., and the rest is history. They called two days later, and said that we had the deal. I asked what swung this our way, and they said that they were so impressed by the software of our 2nd demo, and said they were blown away with what we had done in that short period of time. Boy, did I feel good. I was almost ready to do a back flip.....well, not quite. It's not very often you go up against the big boys, and win. But, when you do, it feels great. We signed the contract, ordered their version of R:Base, and installed it last week. They absolutely love the software AAAAAA.......the power of the R:Base demo. Jim ======================================== Jim Schmitt Ohio Software Services 2211 Lake Club Drive Columbus, Oh 43232 Phone 1-614-863-1850 Fax 1-614-863-0325 E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] ========================================
